Beloit Memorial's Gustafson named to All-SLC First Team

BELOIT — For Beloit Memorial girls softball, the Southern Lakes All-Conference Team gave recognition to a player who helped leave the program in a better state than she left it in and honored a frosh player that can help keep the squad trending in a winning direction.

Senior third baseman Allie Gustafson received a spot on the first team as an infielder while freshman pitcher Rilynne Cleland received an honorable mention for her work in the circle.

Gustafson led the Purple Knights this season with a .403 batting average. The longtime starter was powerful from the plate, sporting a .740 slugging percentage as she smashed a team-high seven home runs this season while adding five doubles. She knocked in 28 runs and scored 20.

After providing a strong glove at third early in her varsity career, Gustafson showed off her versatility by moving to catcher her junior season when Beloit didn’t have one to plug in.

Gustafson recently officially signed her letter of intent to continue her athletic career at Beloit College, and the Buccaneers are probably hopeful that she can help lead the program back onto a winning track, much like she did with the Knights.

Beloit went 11-12 and beat Janesville Parker 3-2 in the WIAA Division 1 regional semifinals before falling to state-runner up Milton 10-0 in the regional championship. It was their first appearance in the regional title and first multi-win season since 2019.

A big reason for the success was the steady work of Cleleand from the circle. Despite it being her first season throwing on the varsity level, she sported a 3.90 ERA in 98 2-3 innings for Beloit. She made 16 starts and struck out 39 while walking 20. She had a 1.62 WHIP and left 84 runners on base throughout the season.

The freshman helped the Knights beat the Vikings in the regional semifinals as she threw all seven innings and allowed just two runs (one earned) on seven hits. She didn’t issue a walk and struck out nine.

Conference champion Westosha Central’s utility player Lila McNeill was named the athlete of the year.